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[av_heading heading=’Watch out for smokers at Christmas parties, LGUs told’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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ILOILO – Local governments were reminded to enforce the smoking ban this Christmas season.
The prohibition must be strictly imposed in public and enclosed spaces, especially with the “endless rounds of parties and get-togethers this Yuletide,” according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Executive Order No. 26, which President Rodrigo Duterte issued on May 16, provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places.
“While Christmas parties and get-togethers have been part of our Yuletide celebrations, we do not want partygoers to suffocate or develop lung diseases from inhaling cigarette or tobacco smoke while enjoying the party or while travelling to or from the Christmas events using public transportations,” OIC Interior secretary Catalino S. Cuy said.
Cuy directed local governments to send antismoking task force personnel to schools where Christmas parties and get-togethers are being held.
Many students easily access tobacco products because stores and cigarette vendors peddle such products near schools, Cuy said, citing information reaching his office.
EO No. 26 provides stricter policies and measures in smoking within public places and public conveyances, the distribution or purchase of tobacco products, and advertisements and promotional materials for tobacco products.
Prohibited acts under the EO include:
* smoking within enclosed public places and public conveyances, whether stationary or in motion, except in fully compliant designated smoking areas (DSAs)
* allowing, abetting or tolerating of smoking in prohibited places by persons-in-charge
* selling, distributing or purchasing tobacco products to and from minors
* smoking, selling or buying cigarettes and other tobacco products
* ordering, instructing or compelling a minor to use, light up, buy, sell, distribute, deliver, advertise, or promote tobacco products
* selling or distributing tobacco products in school, public playground, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors, including those facilities frequented by minors, or within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of these places
* placing, posting, displaying, or distributing advertisement and promotional materials of tobacco products
* placing tobacco advertisements outside the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments
* placing any stall, booth and other displays concerning tobacco promotions to areas outside the premises of point-of-sale or adult only facilities.
Moreover, Cuy reminded local governments to make sure local health officers “actively develop, promote and implement” smoking cessation programs.
“EO No. 26 must be complied with. This is not just a suggestion or recommendation. There are corresponding penalties [for] violators, so we are urging all to abide [by] the law,” the Interior department head warned./PN
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